The Hot List

The Best Weeknight Parties

You’ve never needed a special occasion to go out and break curfew. In fact, Wednesdayness is reason
enough. So in service to you (and disservice to your employer), we’ve compiled a list of the best Sunday
to Thursday night parties. And on the weekend, you rested.

SUNDAY

The Darby Downstairs

The Scene: A Brazilian beach-themed bash that’s been banished to a cabaret club’s speakeasy basement. Don’t worry, the caipirinhas, sakerinhas and two-piece-wearing runway models from Rio seem to have not been affected at all by the move.The Fixtures: Angels and DJs.Optimal +1: A Portuguese translator.

The Westway

The Scene: A grungygo-go dancer breeding ground. There’s something about mirrored walls, red lights and neon glowing stages that makes people just want to get up and dance. Suggestively.The Fixtures: Spandex and strobe lights.Optimal +1: Someone with change for a $20.

The Westway, 75 Clarkson St (between West and Washington)

TUESDAY

Riff Raff’s

The Scene: The party’s called Where the Wild Things Are. And in this version of the story, they’re apparently at a tiki bar. Covering their faces with war paint and dancing till 4am amongst a sea of coconut bras.The Fixtures: Plastic flamingosparklers and banana-flavored condoms.Optimal +1: A pig. On a spit.

PH-D

The Scene: Every once in a while, you’ll come across a loungey respite that feels just like a cozy, lived-in den. This... not one of those places. Unless you happen to have a lot of three-tiered chandeliers and Oscar-nominated actors in your rooftop living room at home.The Fixtures: Fake boobs and real emotions.Optimal +1: Your agent.

Mister H

The Scene: According to a neon sign on the wall, this is not a brothel. According to the velour-covered beds, taxidermy birds and chain curtains, the sign is lying. On Thursdays, the party attracts a crowd that’s mainly media folk, creative types and professionals. No, not those professionals.The Fixtures: Wild animals and wild animals.Optimal +1: A pillow mint.